Invercargill Airport appoints new manager
Friday, 4 March 2016
Navy man and smelter manager Nigel Finnerty has been named the new Invercargill Airport general manager.
In a statement, Invercargill Airport Ltd chairman Joe O'Connell said he was pleased to announce the appointment.
'Nigel comes to us after 15 years in various senior management roles with New Zealand's Aluminium Smelter (NZAS). We are very are pleased to have Nigel on board and his expertise in the management of large infrastructural assets will be a great asset to the company.'
Finnerty, who is originally from Bluff, spent 20 years in the Navy before returning to Southland in 2001.
He lives with his wife and two children on a lifestyle block near Invercargill.
'I am proud to be involved in the development of one of Southland's most important infrastructural assets,' he said.
'The Invercargill Airport is a gateway to the region and provides the first touch point for visitors.
'It is empirical that their first impression is not only a well-run, stunning facility, but they can experience that great southern hospitality right from when they walk off the plane.'
He will start in the new role in mid-April.
O'Connell said it was the perfect time for Finnerty to join the airport team as the terminal redevelopment came closer to completion.
'Nigel is starting with the company at a time where we are receiving a lot of positive feedback resulting from the terminal redevelopment with the travelling public commenting on a daily basis how they are enjoying the modern, vibrant and exciting terminal,' O'Connell said.
Finnerty began working at NZAS in 2001 and during his time there gained skills in operational and management roles, most recently as asset manager.
NZAS chief executive and general manager Gretta Stephens said Finnerty would be missed.
'While I am very sad to see Nigel go, I am also very proud to see him join the ranks of the other Southland business leaders whose skills and commitment to success were developed at NZAS.
'I look forward to continue working with him in the wider context of Southland's regional development,' she said.
Finnerty served in the Royal New Zealand Navy from 1981 to 2001 where he completed several peace keeping and Maritime support operations throughout the Persian Gulf and Indian Oceans.
He was awarded two New Zealand General Services Medals and a New Zealand Operational Services Medal.
Upon retirement from the Navy, Finnerty briefly worked as a volunteer for the Department of Conservation on the West Coast.
During his time at NZAS, Mr Finnerty continued his Navy commitment on a volunteer basis and was appointed Honorary Naval Officer for Southland in 2003 where he served for 10 years.
He was then commissioned into the Royal New Zealand Naval Reserve as a Lieutenant Commander and was appointed the Regional Naval Officer for Southland where he remains today and represents the Chief of Navy in Southland, organises Naval ship visits to the region and supports naval activities in the community.
As a keen mountain runner, biker and climber Mr Finnerty has climbed various mountains throughout the Himalayas, including the 8,000 metre peak, Shishapangma, in Tibet.
He has also completed nine Kepler Challenges and the Everest Marathon.